Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has called for the revamping of polytechnics and TVET institutions.
She said the move will help equip recovering addicts with skills for gainful employment.
"We can uplift the polytechnics, and make them centres of excellence where the graduates have very marketable skills and make the institutions self-sustaining," Pastor Dorcas said.
She said that government institutions worth millions of shillings would be put to greater use with the implementation of the last phase of the boy child programme under the office of the Spouse of the Deputy President.
The last phase involves skilling, reskilling, tooling and retooling boys and men who undergo successful rehabilitation from alcohol, drugs and other addictive substances to make them ready for the job market and self-employment.
Some of those who have benefitted from the programme this year dropped out of school, university and colleges, and refresher courses in their respective courses would make them ready to ably contribute to the country’s economy.
In addition, those without money-making skills would get the opportunity to enrol on the courses of their choice.
The OSDP is partnering with different public and private partners to successfully support the rehabilitation program across all phases.
This includes the Ministry of Housing, where PS Charles Hinga attended the launch of the ASK Wellness Camp in Nairobi and affirmed the government’s support of rehabilitated men through absorption into the affordable housing project.
The Boy Child programme hopes to impact the lives of 12,000 boys and men in the country by the end of the year 2023.
Pastor Dorcas visited Nachu Technical and Vocational College, Juja Farm Youth Polytechnic, Ngorano Vocational and Training Centre, and the Mung’aria Vocational Training Centre.
She said the visits were with the intention of having the recovered addicts undergo training in different courses.
Currently, Kenya has 2,396 TVETS, which are largely underutilised.
"When we started to talk down on the village polytechnics, and they stopped working, that is where we lost it as a country," she added.
Kirimukuyu ward MCA Anthony Ndagita urged the students to work hard in their studies despite the challenges they face.
"It is not where you are but what you do in the midst of the challenges you face as a student. Her Excellency has inspired hope in thousands of boys and men in this nation through the Boy Child programme, and I believe the youth shall succeed because you (Pastor Dorcas) have the youth at heart," Ndagita said.
